Does Low Histamine Coffee exist? Have you been diagnosed with MCAS or histamine intolerance and now you're wondering if you have to give up coffee forever? The answer is (hopefully) no!
Coffee can be a trigger for many reasons, one of those being mycotoxins. Mold can also be a trigger for MCAS and coffee is prone to mold and bacteria growth. Coffee can also be sprayed with pesticides or contain artificial colors or sweeteners. Most coffee is also fermented, which can increase histamine content.
Personally, I ditched coffee for about 5 years. I switched to drinking only matcha, which also isn't necessarily low histamine, but I feel the best with some caffeine in the morning. It's important to note that caffeine can also trigger mast cells though. Everyone is different and our histamine buckets and tolerance levels will all be different. It is important to consult with your providers before trying anything. You may have to remove it temporarily and try it again when your body is more stable!
Recently, I have been craving coffee and have reintroduced it back into my diet and it is SO GOOD. I forgot how much I love coffee. In honor of this exciting rediscovery, I am sharing what I look for in a coffee to make sure it has the lowest histamine content possible and I have the best chance of not reacting to it! I am also going to share some fun ways to sweeten and flavor your coffee that don't involve artificial colors or flavorings and some of my favorite coffee recipes!
I was diagnosed with MCAS back in 2020, but I have been dealing with symptoms for a long longer than that. I have been able to improve my symptoms drastically and I am here to empower you to do the same. You can learn more about my wellness journey here! I have also had to do a strict low histamine diet twice, so I am an expert on that as well. Be sure to check out my other low histamine recipes if you are also navigating this.
My Favorite Coffee Brand
When it comes to choosing a coffee that is least likely to trigger histamine issues, it is important to look at quality and contamination. Organic and mycotoxin-tested coffee can be a better option for us for that reason.
My favorite option for this is Purity Coffee. It is ethically-sourced, orgganic and there are absolutely no chemicals or additives. They also conduct rigorous third-party testing, ensuring their coffee beans are free from pesticide residue, mold, mycotoxins and other contaminants. They also offer multiple options, so there is something for everyone.
My current favorite low histamine coffee option, is their ground coffee. We love making cold brew with it. Purity Coffee also offers whole bean, coffee pods, decaf and sachets! You can also use code LESSWITHLAUR to get a discount on their entire website.
Freshly grinding coffee right before brewing it may also reduce potential histamine issues, so that's another factor to keep in mind as well.
Read more about how Purity Coffee is different and other people's experiences drinking it with MCAS and histamine issues here.
Low Histamine Coffee Recipes
Apple Crisp Macchiato: This one is so fun for fall! Swap the cinnamon for cardamom and omit the vanilla or use non-alcoholic vanilla extract to make it lower histamine.
Almond Milk Latte: Combine mycotoxin-free coffee and almond milk with simple ingredients for a yummy and simple latte.
Honey Sea Salt Latte: This trendy latte works well for people with histamine issues. You just add honey and sea salt to your coffee along with some dairy-free milk!
Pistachio Latte: Combine coffee with dairy-free pistachio milk for a delicious option!
Low Histamine Sweetener and Flavoring Alternatives
When it comes to sweeteners and flavorings, I opt for natural and refined sugar-free. Blood sugar balance is another aspect to be mindful of when it comes to histamine issues. That being said, I think we all deserve a treat sometimes (as long as you are able to tolerate it safely of course). I make sure to eat protein and a balanced meal before drinking coffee in general and also coffee with a sweetener! If you are just starting off on a low histamine diet, the added sugar may be too much of a trigger for you at the moment.
Here are some delicious ways to sweeten or flavor your coffee that don't involve artificial colors or flavorings:
Manuka Honey: This is a delicious lower histamine option to stir into your warm coffee and it also has so many benefits.
Homemade Blueberry Syrup: Feel free to skip the vanilla extract if you do not tolerate it. Opt for non-alcoholic vanilla extract to lower histamine levels. This syrup is a great way to flavor your coffee and blueberries have so many benefits.
Protein Powder: Try stirring a lower histamine protein powder option into your coffee to make a protein coffee!
Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar and it's refined sugar-free. It adds a delicious caramel-like flavor to your coffee. You only need a small amount!
Date Sugar: Date sugar also has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar and is refined sugar-free as well.
Monk Fruit: This is another natural sweetener! Make sure you are purchasing an option that only has monk fruit as an ingredient and nothing else.
Non-Toxic Coffee Makers
Another issue when it comes to coffee is that most coffee makers have a ton of plastic. When the coffee is brewed, hot coffee runs through the machine and leaches plastic and contaminants into your drink. This is something the average person should definitely pay attention to, but it is even more important for those of us with mast cell issues because our toxin buckets are likely already overflowing.
Here are some of my favorite coffee maker options that include less plastic:
Cold Brew Maker: This cold brew maker is cost-effective and easy to use. It is made primarily of glass and stainless steel!
Simply Good Coffee Maker: This drip pour over coffee maker is made out of durable stainless steel and uses a glass carafe and removable, dishwasher-safe parts for easy clean up.
Coulee Swirl Single-Serve Coffee Machine: This is the world's first self-adapting pour over coffee maker without plastic or pods! Most single-serve coffee machines depend on pressure forcing water through coffee in a plastic pod, but Swirl is designed for water to flow into the brew chamber with paper-based brewing materials that allow the coffee to bloom, extract and drain naturally. I also love that the Swirl chamber is visible and easy to clean, unlike closed chamber traditional pod systems which can harbor mold and biofilms!
Coffee Benefits
Coffee is packed with antioxidants, which can help protect your body from oxidative stress. It also can boost alertness and concentration. It's naturally allergy-friendly!
Coffee is a gray area on the low histamine diet. Some people can tolerate it while others find that it triggers them. Some tips for tolerating it include staring small, drinking it fresh, using high-quality beans and keeping add-ins simple! As always, talk with your doctor about what is best for you.
If you're looking for more low histamine information, here are my favorite staple low histamine recipes that I make on repeat! If you are on a journey of making non-toxic swaps for your health, be sure to also sign up for my Sunday Swaps email list! I send out non-toxic and cleaner swaps every Sunday!
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